I have my doubts about studies that show that the bird population has declined by 30% since the 1970s.

For one, DDT use was widespread in the early seventies and that was widely known to cause egg shells of eagles and many other birds to be thin and crack easily.

Two, I have to wonder if the Christmas Bird counts which the study is based on have methodology errors – like fewer people participating today compared to 1970.

Third, blaming neo-nicotines for the decline in birds and butterflies is popular today but how strong is the evidence when these chemicals have short lives and are largely biodegradable and buried underground as seed coatings to protect seeds prior to germination from pests?

It’s good to question and wonder. But we need more science and more answers before we shout ban everything.